Olympic champion Kiprotich supports Dutch marathon in Uganda

Stephen Kiprotich, the 2012 Olympic Marathon champion, is supporting a Dutch initiative for children in Uganda. The organization ‘De 4e Musketier’ will be holding a marathon in Northern Uganda, together with the developmental aid organization Compassion and Open Doors, to raise funds for impoverished children and persecuted Christians.

Kiprotich travelled to Veenendaal on Monday February 4 especially for this fund-raising initiative; there he gave a clinic to a number of runners and shared his story.

“I often receive requests to do something for charity, but I thought this marathon in Uganda was the best,” said Kiprotich. “The money raised goes to aid poor children in my country, among other things. They are the future of Uganda. I love children and want help make it possible for them to get food, medicine and education.”

On May 29 this year, more than 120 Dutch men will run a Marathon near Lira. All participants raise a minimum of €10,000, which will be used to support children from poor families in Uganda and persecuted Christians globally. During their visit to Uganda the participants will also meet with people from this area which has been ravaged by civil war.

Jan Stoorvogel, one of the initiators of the Marathon, said: “This is an extreme physical challenge in an extreme location. We're urging the runners to push themselves beyond their limits and we’re doing that in a place where poverty and injustice reign. The runners can choose from a full or half marathon or an ultra-run.”